The rise of the White Widow

"It's okay. I should have known you'd give up on me... everyone does"

For a brief moment, those words hang heavily in the air between us. Then, almost simultaneously, our faces break into wide grins as laughter bubbles up within us both. It may seem morbid to some, but for us, finally free from our parents' oppressive control, their death is a reason for celebration. At long last, we are free to live life by our own terms.

As our laughter gradually fades away, Hayden turns to me with a serious expression, "And that's why you'll be living here from now on" he says quietly.

"What do you mean?" I ask, my heart dropping.

Hayden looks at me with concern. "Well, I can't really take care of you right now. I'm still in school and working night shifts most nights. Besides, I don't have a place where both of us can live. Jessie's place only has room for me," he explains softly.

Tears well up in my eyes as I try to process his words. "So, you're not even going to try?"

"Dove... it's not like that," Hayden sighs, rubbing his eyes.

I take a deep breath, fighting back the tears, "It's okay. I should have known you'd give up on me... everyone does"

"I'm really sorry, Dove," Hayden says, his voice filled with regret.

"Don't!" I exclaim, my voice raising in frustration, "Don't give up on me!" Tears start streaming down my face as I continue, "I don't think I can do this without you! I know you'll come and visit me on the weekends, but it's not enough. It might sound needy, but I really need you!" Angrily wiping away the tears with the back of my hand, I struggle to regain control over my emotions.

Hayden reaches out to comfort me but hesitates, "I promise, Dove. I'll be there for you as much as possible"

"Fine," I say bitterly, turning away from him. "Just go"

"Don't be like this, Dove," Hayden pleads.

"No! Just... leave!" Unable to hold back anymore, I shout the words through my tears‌, not wanting to face the reality of being apart from him.

Hayden reaches out to embrace me, but I instinctively pull back.

"Leave!" I yell again, my voice quivering with anger and frustration.

With a heavy sigh, he reluctantly walks out of the room, leaving me to my thoughts.

I stand there, staring blankly at the wall as I try to process everything that has just transpired. Deep down, I understand that Hayden only wants what's best for me, but his lack of effort to help me only fuels my anger and hurt. Hot tears well up in my eyes and start streaming down my cheeks. I question myself, am I overreacting? A small voice inside me admits that maybe, just maybe, I am.

The sound of a gentle knock on the door breaks mm out of my thoughts. Before I can muster a response or wipe away the tears from my face, Natasha slips into the room.

Not wanting her to see me like this, I turn away and mutter, "Go away"

"Are you okay?" she asks cautiously.

A part of me craves for a confidante now.

"Nothing's wrong," I say defensively, "I'm fine" But even as those words leave my mouth, a choked sob betrays me, and the tears come uncontrollably.

Sensing my pain and vulnerability, Natasha quickly gathers me into her arms without prying into why I'm crying. She holds me tight, whispering soothing words of comfort into my ear.

"Shh, it's okay," she says softly. "I'm here for you. You're going to be alright"

"I can't. I just can't do this anymore," I cry, burying my face in Natasha's shoulder, "I just want all of this to end"